The Hindu : Sport / Football : Indian Bank clinches Vittal Trophy

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Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
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Indian Bank clinches Vittal Trophy

Sports Reporter

— Photo: V. Ganesan

REIGNING SUPREME: Indian Bank had it easy against SAI in the final.

CHENNAI: Bolstered by a fresh set of recruits, Indian Bank proved its worth in a telling manner. The 23rd Vittal Trophy football tournament has seen the bank team perform with lot of passion and purpose. With attack as its main weapon, it has hardly provided space for opponents. On Wednesday, Indian Bank blanked Sports Authority of India 5-0 in the final to bag its third title.

The architect

Nirmal Kumar, the 19-year-old from Pulianthope, was the architect of IB’s victory. It was his brace, inclusive of the first two goals, that set up this comfortable win.

Nirmal’s shooting skills was the talking point during the summit clash. Midway through the first session, Nirmal took a long aerial pass from Santha Kumar and didn’t waste much time in effecting a right-footer right into the net.

A couple of minutes later, Nirmal once again, was in the thick of things. He was quick to react to a pass this time to a pass from Naneo Yumnam. Cramped for space, Nirmal pushed the ball to his left and then unleashed a left-footer that beat the goalkeeper Rajesh Kanna all ends up.

Going for the kill

Leading 2-0 at half-time, IB didn’t sit back and relax. It had the drive and desire to go for more. Javed placed one easily with the goalkeeper nowhere in sight. Ramesh scored twice to complete the one-sided win.

“Ours is a new team, formed just after the inter-State transfer. It’s a big achievement for us,” said Roque Noel D’Silva, Indian Bank’s chief coach.

K. Sarath Reddy, CEO, UNIFI Wealth Management Ltd. gave away the prizes. M. Kumaresh, grandson of Vittal, and Chairman of the Organising Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.

Special prizes: Best player of the tournament: Nirmal Kumar; best behaved team: Indian Bank.